KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Saffron or saffron is a spice with a strong aroma and rich in antioxidants. Launch Medical News Today, This cousin of the lily is derived from the flower pistil of Crocus sativus. Saffron spices are known for their high prices because the harvesting process is quite difficult.
Farmers must harvest fine thread-like sheets from each plant flower by hand. They then need to heat and process the harvest so that the taste of saffron comes out.
With this complicated process, saffron is one of the most expensive herbs in the world. Quoting Healthline, the price of spices on the world market can reach 5,000 US dollars per 450 grams.
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Behind the title of the most expensive spice in the world, the benefits of saffron for health turned out to be quite diverse. Here are a few:
1. Fighting free radicals is the cause of chronic diseases
A number of studies say, saffron has a high antioxidant content. Several types of antioxidants in saffron include crocin, picrocrocin, safranal, kaempferol compounds, and crocetin.
Antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress and free radicals in the body. As is known, oxidative stress and free radicals are the source of health problems, such as cancer and heart disease.
2. Preventing Saffron’s nervous system disorders originating from the crocus sativus pistil.
Antioxidants in saffron can play a role in protecting the body from disorders of the nervous system. A 2015 study noted that crocin compounds in saffron can reduce inflammation and oxidative damage in the brain.
Another study published in the journal Antioxidants noted, saffron can relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s because it can increase memory while dealing with inflammation in the brain.
From the results of the study, mild to moderate Alzheimer’s sufferers who used saffron for 22 weeks had cognitive improvements such as those taking donepezil.
Nevertheless, the research is only an early stage and requires clinical trials to support the use of saffron as an alternative drug for nervous system disorders.
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3. Improve mood
In addition to physical health, saffron is also said to have potential benefits for mental health. Saffron can help improve mood which is useful to support the treatment of people with depression.
Studies in the Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science say, saffron extract can increase dopamine levels in the brain without changing levels of other brain hormones, such as serotonin.
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